Washbox

ABSTRACT

Exemplary systems and methods relating to washboxes are described.

PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/526,311, filed Jun. 18, 2012, which is a continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 13/005,415, filed Jan. 12, 2011, issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,206,599, which is a divisional of, and claims priority from, U.S.application Ser. No. 11/858,079, filed Sept. 19, 2007. U.S. applicationSer. Nos. 13/526,311; 13/005,415 and 11/858,079 are hereby incorporatedby reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the presentapplication. Features and advantages of the illustrated implementationscan be more readily understood by reference to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a water-treatment system that can employ anadjustable washbox in accordance with some implementations of thepresent concepts.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable washbox inaccordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the adjustable washbox of FIG. 2in accordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable washbox inaccordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the adjustable washbox of FIG. 4in accordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate sectional views of an adjustable washbox inaccordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable washbox inaccordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of the adjustable washbox of FIG. 9in accordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable washbox inaccordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 12 illustrates a sectional view of the adjustable washbox of FIG.11 in accordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable washbox inaccordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view of the adjustable washbox of FIG.13 in accordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable washbox inaccordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional view of the adjustable washbox of FIG.15 in accordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 17 illustrates a sectional view of an adjustable washbox inaccordance with some implementations of the present concepts.

FIG. 18 illustrates a water-treatment system that can employ anadjustable washbox in accordance with some implementations of thepresent concepts.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for reconfiguring anadjustable washbox in accordance with some implementations of thepresent concepts.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings are usedwherever feasible to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Moving bed media filters receive contaminated water and separatecontaminants from the water thereby producing filtered or purifiedwater. Contaminants are filtered from the water by passing the waterthrough a moving bed of media, such as sand. Thus, at an interim point,moving bed media filters produce filtered water and contaminated media.Moving bed media filters can employ adjustable washboxes that receivethe contaminated media and can separate the contaminants from the media.For instance, the adjustable washbox receives contaminated media andproduces relatively clean media and a relatively concentrated wastestream containing the contaminants.

In some cases, the adjustable washbox can define a tortuous pathwayalong which the media passes. The tortuous pathway can break-up clumpsof media and facilitate separation of contaminants from the media. Inone example, the contaminated media can be supplied to the top of thetortuous pathway so that the contaminated media falls downward due togravity. Some of the filtered water can flow through the adjustablewashbox in an opposite or counter-current direction to the contaminatedmedia. The counter-current flow of water can separate the contaminantsfrom the media and can carry the contaminants away in what becomes thewaste stream. Meanwhile, the now clean media falls from the bottom ofthe adjustable washbox to be re-utilized in filtering contaminants fromnewly received contaminated water. The remainder of the filtered waterthat is not involved in separating the contaminants from the media canbe released as effluent.

One aspect of the adjustable washbox is to allow adequatecounter-current flow to separate contaminants from the media and toprevent contaminants from passing through the adjustable washbox toreach the filtered water. A potentially countervailing aspect of theadjustable washbox is to produce a relatively high ratio of effluentwater versus waste stream water. Stated another way, the adjustablewashbox can reduce a percentage of the filtered water that is lost inthe waste stream.

The adjustable washbox lends itself to the various conditions that maybe encountered in a water filtration system. For example, the propertiesof the influent water can vary. Alternatively or additionally, theoperating parameters of the moving bed media filter can vary. Forinstance, a contaminant load of the contaminated water received by themoving bed media filter can change over time. The inventive conceptsallow the adjustable washbox to compensate for changing operatingconditions. For example, in some cases, the tortuous pathway of theadjustable washbox can be redefined for the encountered operatingconditions.

Exemplary Washbox Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a moving-bed media filtration system100 that can employ an adjustable washbox. The moving-bed mediafiltration system receives contaminated water and separates thecontaminants from a majority of the water. The moving-bed mediafiltration system produces a large percentage of relatively cleaneffluent water and a small percentage of water concentrated with thecontaminants and/or solids in a waste stream.

System 100 includes a vessel 102 associated with an adjustable washbox104. Vessel 102 receives contaminated water for treatment through aninlet pipe 106. As depicted in FIG. 1 water is represented by a diamondsymbol “⋄” while contaminants are represented by a triangle symbol “Δ”.Vessel 102 includes a filter chamber 108 that contains a media bed 110with individual media represented by a circle symbol “ο”. Inlet pipe 106extends down into filter chamber 108 to discharge the contaminated waterinto a central portion of media bed 110 through a distributionmechanism. In this instance, the distribution mechanism is in a formfactor of a perforated manifold 112.

In this case, a recirculation or airlift tube 114 generally extends fromthe bottom to the top of filter chamber 108 at the center of vessel 102.An orifice 116 positioned below recirculation tube 114 allows compressedair to be supplied to vessel 102. As depicted in FIG. 1 air isrepresented by a square symbol “□”. Orifice 116 can be positioned sothat released compressed air tends to travel up into the recirculationtube 114 rather than outside of the recirculation tube and into mediabed 110. In an alternative configuration, compressed air can be suppliedvia a conduit (not shown) that runs down through the vessel generallycoextensive to recirculation tube 114. The conduit provides thecompressed air to an orifice(s) 117 that can release the compressed airinto, or proximate to, the recirculation tube 114. In either scenario,the released air rises within the recirculation tube 114 to its upperend which is proximate to adjustable washbox 104.

In this case, adjustable washbox 104 includes a washbox configurationadjustment mechanism 118 for adjusting one or more parameters of thewashbox as will be described below. Further, in this implementation, theadjustable washbox includes a water control mechanism in the form of aweir 120 and a weir control mechanism 121. The weir 120 physicallyblocks water above the adjustable washbox 104. The weir controlmechanism 121 can adjust weir parameters, such as a height of weir 120to control a water level 122 above the adjustable washbox. In otherimplementations, washbox configuration adjustment mechanism 118 cancontrol the operation of weir 120 rather than having a dedicated weircontrol mechanism.

The adjustable washbox 104 functions to break-up any clumps of mediathat enter the washbox and/or to further separate solids and/orcontaminants from the media. A waste stream outlet 124 carries theseparated solids and/or contaminants from the vessel 102. System 100also includes a water control mechanism in the form of a weir 130 forcontrolling outflow of filtered water via an outlet 132. Stated anotherway, weir 130 defines a water level 134 of the filter chamber 108excluding the water level 122 controlled by weir 120. A head pressure ordifference 136 between the washbox water level 122 and the filterchamber water level 134 causes water to flow upward from filter chamber108 through the adjustable washbox 104. Further, in this instance,vessel 102 includes an upper or top member 137 that seals the vessel anda gas outlet 138 positioned in the top member 137. In otherimplementations, vessel 102 does not include a top member and isdirectly open to the atmosphere. To summarize, the media bed 110utilizes media to separate or filter solids and/or contaminants from theinflowing water. The adjustable washbox 104 then utilizes a relativelysmall percentage of the filtered water to separate the solids and/orcontaminants from the media. The media is then recycled back to themedia bed for further use.

In operation, contaminated water enters vessel 102 via inlet pipe 106.The contaminated water passes downward through the inlet pipe asindicated by arrows 140. The contaminated water flows from the inletpipe and into perforated manifold 112. The contaminated water exits theperforated manifold into media bed 110 as indicated by arrow 142. Amajority of the water flows upward through the media bed as indicated byarrow 144 while media moves downward as indicated by arrow 146.Contaminants and/or solids tend to be retained in the media bed andcarried downward with the media as indicated by arrow 148. System 100 isan “upflow” system meaning the water released from manifold 112generally flows upward. However, the adjustable washbox conceptsdescribed herein can be employed with a downflow system and/or othersystems.

Compressed air supplied to vessel 102 via orifice 116 forms air bubblesthat are less dense than the surrounding media and water. The airbubbles rise upwardly as indicated by arrow 150 and carry media,contaminants, and/or solids upwardly into recirculation tube 114 asindicated by arrow 152. A scouring action occurs as the air bubbles,media, contaminants, and/or solids rise up the recirculation tube. Thescouring action tends to cause the contaminants and/or solids to bedislodged and/or separated from the media. Upon arrival at the top ofthe recirculation tube, the air bubbles tend to rise up and leave thevessel through the gas outlet 138 as indicated by arrow 154. The mediais relatively dense and tends to fall down around the mouth of therecirculation tube and into the adjustable washbox 104 as indicated byarrow 156.

Contaminants and/or solids tend to be less dense than the media and assuch tend to float on the water above the adjustable washbox 104. Someof the contaminants and/or solids may still be in some way attached to,or associated with, the media and as such tend to be carried downwardwith the media into the adjustable washbox. The adjustable washbox canfunction to break up clumps of media and/or to separate contaminantsand/or solids from the media. In this case the adjustable washboxdefines a tortuous pathway as indicated by arrow 158. The relativelydense media falls downward along tortuous pathway 158 as indicated byarrow 160. Because of head pressure 136, water tends to flow upwardlyfrom the filter chamber 108 along tortuous pathway 158 as indicated byarrow 162. Accordingly, the water creates a countercurrent flow to thedescent of the media. Functionally, the countercurrent flow and/orinteractions of the descending media with washbox surfaces defining thetortuous pathway 158 can cause clumps of media to be broken up andcontaminants and/or solids to be carried upwardly with the water. Water,contaminants and/or solids flow over weir 120 as indicated by arrows 164to form a waste stream that is removed via waste stream outlet 124.

Several environmental variables or parameters can affect the performanceof system 100. For instance, these environmental parameters can includea rate of inflow of the contaminated water and an amount of thecontaminants and/or solids in the inflowing contaminated water. Severaloperating parameters of system 100 can be adjusted to compensate forchanges to one or more of these environmental parameters. For example,one operating parameter that can be adjusted is the rate at which thecompressed air is introduced into the vessel via orifice 116. The ratethat the compressed air is introduced can be adjusted to slow or speedthe rate at which the media is removed from filter bed 110 and deliveredto adjustable washbox 104. For instance, increasing the rate for thecompressed air increases the rate at which media is drawn from the mediabed 110 and delivered to the adjustable washbox 104 via therecirculation tube 114. Another operational parameter value that can beadjusted is the difference in head pressure 136 between the washboxwater level 122 and the filter chamber water level 134. Increasing thedifference in head pressure can increase counter-current water flowthrough the adjustable washbox 104. The adjustable washbox can beadjusted to handle the environmental parameters and/or operationalparameters that affect washbox function.

For purposes of explanation, consider a hypothetical scenario where therate of inflow to the system 100 stays relatively constant but thecontaminant and/or solids load of the inflow increases. The increasedcontaminants and/or solids are filtered by the media bed 110. The volumeof air supplied to the system can be increased in order to speed mediamovement and cleaning. Cleaning the media more frequently can reduce alikelihood of the media bed 110 becoming clogged due to the increasedcontaminant and/or solids load. The increased air serves to increase therate at which media is drawn into and carried up the recirculation tube114. Thus, media is delivered to the adjustable washbox 104 at anincreased rate. The media falls down through the countercurrent flow ofthe adjustable washbox. However, if the amount of media falling throughthe adjustable washbox is too large, then the media may plug theadjustable washbox and/or block the countercurrent flow of water therebyallowing solids and/or contaminants to pass through the adjustablewashbox into the relatively clean filtered water above the media bed110. To avoid such a scenario, one or more parameters or properties ofthe adjustable washbox can be adjusted via washbox configurationadjustment mechanism 118 and/or the height control mechanism 121 tocompensate for the increased amount of media entering the adjustablewashbox.

Similarly, parameters of the adjustable washbox 104 can be adjusted inan instance where the amount of media entering the adjustable washboxdecreases due to a decreased contaminant and/or solids load in theincoming water received by system 100. In this latter scenario theadjustable washbox can enable less water to be counter-flowed throughthe washbox thereby increasing a relative percentage of effluent waterproduced from the inflow. In summary, the adjustable washbox enablesadjustment of washbox parameters responsive to changes to environmentalparameters and/or other operation parameters.

In some implementations, the washbox configuration adjustment mechanism118 and/or the weir control mechanism 121 can be electronically coupledto receive data related to one or more sensors associated with system100. The washbox configuration adjustment mechanism and/or the weircontrol mechanism can automatically adjust the adjustable washbox basedat least in part upon the data. For instance, washbox configurationadjustment mechanism 118 can receive data indicating that the rate atwhich compressed air is introduced via orifice 116 has been increased ordecreased and can correspondingly adjust the configuration of theadjustable washbox. For instance, the washbox configuration adjustmentmechanism 118 can cause media to pass more easily through the adjustablewashbox responsive to an increased air flow rate. The washboxconfiguration adjustment mechanism 118 can then cause the weir controlmechanism 121 to lower weir 120 thereby increasing water flow throughthe washbox to ensure adequate media cleaning.

First Exemplary Adjustable Washbox

FIGS. 2-5 collectively show an adjustable washbox 204 that is suitablefor use with a moving bed media system such as system 100 describedabove in relation to FIG. 1. FIGS. 6-8 show further variations ofadjustable washbox 204. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of washbox 204in a first configuration. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of washbox 204in a second configuration. FIGS. 3 and 5 offer sectional views of thewashbox configurations illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 respectively.

In this case, adjustable washbox 204 includes an inner portion 206nested within an outer portion 208. An outward facing surface 210 of theinner portion and an inner facing surface 212 (specifically designatedin FIG. 3) of the outer portion defines a tortuous pathway 214(specifically designated in FIG. 3). A central cavity 216 is providedthrough inner portion 206 to receive a recirculation tube (describedwith specificity above in relation to FIG. 1). Media carried up throughthe central cavity 216 falls down through tortuous pathway 214 due togravity.

Adjustable washbox 204 is configured to allow one or more washboxparameters to be adjusted during operation. For instance, in theillustrated configuration of FIGS. 2-6, the adjustable washbox parameterrelates to a minimum dimension or distance of the tortuous pathway asmeasured between the opposing inner and outer facing surfaces 212, 210.In this case, when the adjustable washbox is in the first configurationof FIGS. 2-3 a minimum dimension d₁ is defined between the opposinginner and outer facing surfaces 212, 210.

In the second configuration of FIGS. 4-5 the inner portion is movedparallel to the vertical or y-axis in an upward direction and a minimumdimension d₂ is defined between the opposing inner and outer facingsurfaces 212, 210. In other configurations, either or both of the innerand outer portions 206, 208 can be moved relative to one another. Inthis case, dimension d₂ is less than dimension d₁. The smaller dimensiond₂ makes tortuous pathway 214′ more constrained in the secondconfiguration than in the first configuration. The more constrainedpathway can cause slower media descent through tortuous pathway 214′and/or cause more effective breakup of any clumps of media passing alongthe tortuous pathway 214′. Slower media descent prolongs the media'sexposure to the counter-current flow and thereby increases contaminantremoval from the media. Further, the more constrained tortuous pathway214′ can allow for reduced water usage and/or increased water velocityin the counter-current flow through the adjustable washbox 204 thantortuous pathway 214 of the less constrained first configuration.

The dimensions d₁, d₂ can be selected relative to the size of the media.For instance, in one implementation that utilizes approximately 0.01inch media, dimension d₂ can be in a range slightly larger than themedia, such as in a range of about 0.02 inches to about 0.05 inches.Similarly, dimension d₁ can be in a range of about 0.1 to about 0.3inches.

While first and second configurations are illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 incomparison to FIGS. 4-5 the skilled artisan should recognize that in atleast in some implementations, the adjustable washbox can be adjusted toan essentially infinite number of configurations. Further, theadjustable washbox can be generally continuously adjusted orreconfigured responsive to the encountered conditions or parameters.

Building upon the above description, FIGS. 6-8 offer two implementationswhere a different parameter of the adjustable washbox 204 is adjustedthat affects the washbox's tortuous pathway. FIGS. 6-8 are sectionalviews with FIG. 6 being similar to the view of FIG. 3. As represented inFIG. 6, the adjustable washbox 204 is in a first configuration thatdefines a tortuous pathway 602 (only designated with specificity on theright hand portion of adjustable washbox 204). In the example of FIG. 7the adjustable washbox's outer portion(s) 208 is moved inwardly parallelto the x-axis as indicated by arrows 702, 704 to create a secondconfiguration. (While in the sectional view of FIG. 7, the outerportions appear as two distinct components, in some instances the outerportions are formed by a single component that surrounds the innercomponent). Moving the outer portion(s) inwardly further constrains atortuous pathway. In this case, the tortuous pathway is furtherconstrained in that the minimum dimension of the tortuous pathwaymeasured parallel to the x-axis is reduced from distance d₃ representedin FIG. 6 to distance d₄ represented in FIG. 7. Accordingly, tortuouspathway 602′ of the second configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 is moreconstrained than tortuous pathway 602 defined in the first configurationof FIG. 6. While in this instance, the second configuration of FIG. 7 isachieved by moving the outer portion, other implementations can moveeither or both of the inner and outerportions 206, 208 respectively.

In the implementation of FIG. 8, the outer portion's inner surface 212is distended toward the inner portion 206 as evidenced by arc 802. Thisdistension creates a minimum distance d₅ along the tortuous pathway thatis less than distance d₃ designated in FIG. 6. Accordingly, theadjustable washbox configuration of FIG. 8 offers a more constrainedtortuous pathway than the configuration of FIG. 6. Similar distentioncan alternatively or additionally be created on the inner portion 206.Various techniques can be utilized to distend the washbox surfaces thatdefine the tortuous pathway. For instance, hydraulic or pneumatic forcesapplied within the inner and/or outer portions 206, 208 can create thedistention. Alternatively, a horizontally mounted ram within the innerand/or outer portions can create the distension. In this case, ahydraulic pump 804 pressurizes and depressurizes the outer portion 208as controlled by a valve 806 to change the adjustable washbox'sconfiguration.

Adjustable washboxes can be made from a wide range of materials such asmetals, resin based-materials such as fiberglass, and various plastics,among others. Materials that tend to be relatively more flexible andless brittle can be employed for distensible adjustable washboxes, suchas the implementation described above in relation to FIG. 8.

Second Exemplary Adjustable Washbox

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate another adjustable washbox 904. FIGS. 9 and 10represent the adjustable washbox in a first configuration while FIGS.11-12 represent the adjustable washbox in a second configuration. Inthis implementation, adjustable washbox 904 includes inner and outerportions 906, 908 defining a tortuous pathway therebetween. In the firstconfiguration of FIGS. 9-10 the tortuous pathway is designated as 914and in the second configuration of FIGS. 11-12 the tortuous pathway isdesignated as 914′. In this case, when considered from end to end, thetortuous pathway flows in a direction that is oblique relative to thevertical or y-axis. Further, the tortuous pathway includes a series ofdescending steps such as are designated at 916 and 918. These descendingsteps can serve to breakup clumps of media that may enter the adjustablewashbox 904. Further, by moving, either of the inner and/or outerportions 206, 208 relative to one another parallel to the y-axis createsthe second configuration and redefines the tortuous pathway. Forinstance, in this case, in the second configuration, at least portionsof the adjustable washbox's tortuous pathway 914′ are more constrainedthan in the first configuration 914. For example, dimension d₆ of thefirst configuration is greater than corresponding dimension d₇ of thesecond configuration. The more constrained configuration can breakupmedia clumps and/or provide a restriction to counter-current water flowthat allows the adjustable washbox to operate utilizing lesscounter-current water flow and/or to achieve higher flow velocities.

Third Exemplary Adjustable Washbox

FIGS. 13-16 illustrate still another adjustable washbox 1304. FIGS. 13and 14 represent the adjustable washbox in a first configuration whileFIGS. 15-16 represent the adjustable washbox in a second configuration.In this case, adjustable washbox 1304 includes inner and outer portions1306, 1308 and an interposed portion 1310. A tortuous pathway is definedby the inner, outer and interposed portions. In the first configurationof FIGS. 13-14 the tortuous pathway is designated as 1314 and in thesecond configuration of FIGS. 15-16 the tortuous pathway is designatedas 1314′. In this case, when considered from end to end, the tortuouspathway flows in a direction that is generally parallel to the verticalor y-axis. The interposed portion 1310 can introduce “sub-paths” to thetortuous pathway and multiple dotted lines are utilized to indicate howparticular media particles may fall along the tortuous pathway.

Moving one or more of the inner, outer and interposed portions 1306,1308, and 1310, respectively can redefine the tortuous pathway (1314,1314′) as can be evidenced by comparing the first configuration of FIGS.13 and 14 with the second configuration of FIGS. 15 and 16. Forinstance, consider a scenario where washbox 1304 is operating in anenvironment with a relatively low contaminant and/or solids load. Therelatively low contaminant and/or solids load can enable a relativelylow rate that a given volume of media is directed to the adjustablewashbox 1304. The adjustable washbox can be set at the secondconfiguration evidenced in FIGS. 15-16 to reduce countercurrent waterflow through the washbox. If the rate that media is directed to theadjustable washbox is increased and/or if an obstruction of the mediawithin the adjustable washbox occurs, then the adjustable washbox can bechanged to the first configuration illustrated in FIGS. 13-14.

Further, any of the inner, outer and/or interposed portions 1306, 1308,and 1310, respectively can be vibrated to reduce and/or eliminateclogging of media within the adjustable washbox. For instance, considera scenario where adjustable washbox 1304 is operating in the secondconfiguration of FIGS. 15-16 to reduce water usage. Assume further thata back-up or clogging of media is detected within the adjustablewashbox. In such a case, the interposed portion 1310 can be vibratedbefore reconfiguring the adjustable washbox to a differentconfiguration. Such a technique can facilitate media flow withoutsubstantially changing the configuration of the adjustable washbox.Alternatively or additionally, the interposed portion can be moved bothvertically parallel the y-axis and vibrationally to facilitate mediapassage through the adjustable washbox.

FIG. 17 illustrates a more detailed sectional view of adjustable washbox1304 that includes a washbox configuration adjustment mechanism 1700.Further examples of washbox configuration adjustment mechanisms aredescribed in relation to FIGS. 1 and 18. In this case, washboxconfiguration adjustment mechanism 1700 includes supports 1702, aplatform 1704, and a truss 1706. Interposed portion 1310 is coupled tosupports 1702 that extend upwardly through platform 1704. The supports1702 are interconnected via truss 1706. The washbox configurationadjustment mechanism 1700 further includes a vertical movement assembly1708 and a vibration assembly 1710. In this example, the verticalmovement assembly 1708 is in the form factor of a motorized screwmechanism 1712 configured to move truss 1706 vertically (parallel to they-axis) relative to platform 1704. The motorized screw assemblyfunctions to move the interposed portion 1310 vertically relative to theinner and outer portions 1306, 1308 to redefine the tortuous pathway(specifically designated FIGS. 13-16). These (or similar) components canalternatively or additionally be utilized to move one or more of theinner and outer portions 1306, 1308 relative to one another. While amotorized screw assembly is utilized here, other implementations canutilize other mechanisms for moving one portion of the adjustablewashbox relative to another portion. For instance, hydraulic cylinders,pneumatics and/or various other assemblies can be utilized as should berecognized by the skilled artisan.

Vibration assembly 1710 functions to provide vibration to the supports1702 that is then transferred down to the interposed portion 1310proximate to the inner and outer portions 1306, 1308. As describedabove, in relation to FIGS. 13-16, the vibration can facilitate mediapassage through the tortuous pathway. In this instance, the vibrationassembly includes a motor 1714 that drives a shaft 1716. A mass such asa metal rod or plate 1718 is mounted in an offset or unbalanced manneron the shaft 1716. When the motor drives the shaft 1716 the spinningplate creates vibration that is transferred to the truss and ultimatelyto the interposed portion 1310. The skilled artisan should recognizeother mechanisms for imparting vibrational energy to the interposedportion.

In washbox 1314 the inner, outer, and interposed portions 1306, 1308,and 1310 approximate portions of triangles to define tortuous pathway(designated with specificity in relation to FIG. 14). For instance,inner portion 1306 includes a protuberance 1720 that approximates aportion of a triangle as indicated at 1722. Similarly, outer portion1308 includes a protuberance 1724 that approximates a portion of atriangle as indicated at 1726 and interposed portion 1310 includes aprotuberance 1728 that approximates a portion of a triangle as indicatedat 1730. Other implementations can utilize other shapes to define thetortuous pathway. For instance, other implementations can utilize anycombination of triangular shapes and rectangular shapes, ellipticalshapes, linear shapes, and irregular shapes, among others to define thetortuous pathway. Further, in this implementation, protuberances on agiven portion are generally uniform in size and are similar toprotuberances on other portions. For instance, protuberance 1720 issimilar in size to protuberance 1724. In other scenarios, protuberanceson an individual portion can be of varied sizes. Alternatively oradditionally, the protuberances of one portion can be different sizesthan protuberances of a different portion.

Additional Exemplary Washbox Environments

While adjustable washbox concepts are introduced above in relation tothe specific system environment of FIG. 1, the adjustable washboxconcepts described herein are not limited to a particular system. Forinstance, FIG. 18 illustrates an example of another system environmentin which the concepts can be employed.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a moving-bed media filtration system1800 that can employ an adjustable washbox. System 1800 includes avessel 1802 associated with an adjustable washbox 1804 that is externalto the vessel and that defines a media pathway 1806. The vessel 1802receives contaminated water for treatment through an inlet pipe 1808.Vessel 1802 contains a media bed 1810 for filtering contaminants and/orsolids from contaminated water. Inlet pipe 1808 extends down into vessel1802 to discharge the contaminated water into a central portion of mediabed 1810 through a distribution mechanism 1812.

System 1800 also includes a compressor 1814, an air delivery mechanism1816, a sensor 1818, and a recirculation tube 1820. The air deliverymechanism 1816 delivers air from compressor 1814 to recirculation tube1820 proximate to a bottom of media bed 1810. The sensor 1818 senses arate at which the compressed air is delivered to the media bed. Therecirculation tube 1820 extends upwardly from the bottom of media bed1810 and out through an upper portion of vessel 1802 to supply air,contaminants, solids, water, and media to the adjustable washbox 1804. Arelatively faster delivery rate of compressed air to the recirculationtube tends to increase a rate at which the contaminants, solids, water,and media are picked up from the media bed and carried to the adjustablewashbox 1804. Conversely, a relatively slower delivery rate ofcompressed air to the recirculation tube tends to decrease a rate atwhich the contaminants, solids, water, and media are picked up from themedia bed and carried to the adjustable washbox.

Media delivered to adjustable washbox 1804 falls downwardly and entersthe media pathway 1806. Media falling along media pathway 1806 isexposed to a countercurrent (i.e., generally opposite direction to themedia pathway) of water that separates contaminants and solids from themedia. The media that passes through the adjustable washbox along mediapathway 1806 is returned to vessel 1802 via media inlet 1822 to berecycled onto the media bed 1810. A relatively concentrated stream ofrejects that includes water, contaminants and/or solids exits the systemvia reject outlet 1824. Filtered water exits via effluent outlet 1826.

A weir 1828 determines a water level 1830 above the adjustable washbox1804 relative to a water level 1832 within vessel 1802. The adjustablewashbox also includes a washbox configuration adjustment mechanism 1834for adjusting one or more parameters of the washbox. In this case,washbox configuration adjustment mechanism 1834 is coupled to weir 1828effective to adjust various parameters associated with the weir, such asa weir height. Washbox configuration adjustment mechanism 1834 is alsocommunicatively coupled to sensor 1818. The washbox configurationadjustment mechanism 1834 can adjust washbox parameters based upon datareceived from sensor 1818, among others. For instance, as mentionedabove the rate at which media is delivered to the adjustable washbox isinfluenced by the rate at which compressed air is delivered to therecirculation tube 1820. In some implementations, the washboxconfiguration adjustment mechanism 1834 can raise or lower weir 1828responsive to changes in the rate at which compressed air is deliveredto the recirculation tube.

For purposes of explanation consider a hypothetical scenario wheresensor 1818 indicates an increased air delivery rate. The washboxconfiguration adjustment mechanism 1834 can lower weir 1828. Loweringweir 1828 increases a difference between the adjustable washbox's waterlevel 1830 and the vessel's water level 1832. The increased differencecan increase the countercurrent flow rate from vessel 1802 into andthrough adjustable washbox 1804. The increased countercurrent flow canhelp to reduce contaminants passing through the adjustable washbox.

Alternatively or additionally to raising or lowering the weir height,the washbox configuration adjustment mechanism 1834 can adjust mediapathway 1806 based upon a rate at which the media is received. Forinstance, the washbox configuration adjustment mechanism can cause themedia pathway 1806 to be more or less constrained or constricted. Forinstance, continuing with the above-mentioned hypothetical, responsiveto an increased rate that media is delivered to the adjustable washbox1804, the washbox configuration adjustment mechanism 1834 can lower weir1828 and cause media pathway 1806 to be less constricted. Lowering theweir increases countercurrent water flow along media pathway 1806.Causing the media pathway to be less constrained provides sufficientroom within the media pathway to allow for both increased media passageand increased counter-flowing water. The above hypothetical scenarioinvolves but one possible scenario. The washbox configuration adjustmentmechanism can receive sensed data from other types of sensors and/orcontrol other adjustable washbox parameters to those described above.The skilled artisan should recognize other environments in which theadjustable washbox concepts can be employed.

Exemplary Method

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary process or method 1900 for reconfiguring anadjustable washbox. This method 1900 may be implemented in connectionwith any suitably configured water processing system. Non-limitingexamples of suitable water processing systems are described above inrelation to FIGS. 1 and 18.

The order in which the method 1900 is described is not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks can becombined in any order to implement the method, or an alternate method.Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware,software, firmware, or combination thereof such that a computing devicecan implement the method. In one case, the method is stored on acomputer-readable storage media as a set of instructions such thatexecution by a computing device, causes the computing device to performthe method.

At block 1902, a parameter change relating to an adjustable washbox isreceived. In one scenario the parameter change relates to an operatingenvironment of the adjustable washbox. For instance, the parameterchange can relate to a rate at which waste water is received fortreatment and/or can relate to a contaminant and/or solids load of thewastewater. In another instance, the parameter change can relate to arate at which media is delivered to the adjustable washbox.

At block 1904, the adjustable washbox is automatically reconfigured tohandle the parameter change. In some implementations the adjustablewashbox defines a tortuous pathway within which media is cleaned ofcontaminants. The automatically reconfiguring can relate to redefiningthe tortuous pathway. For instance, the adjustable washbox can bereconfigured to make the tortuous pathway more or less constrictivecorresponding to the parameter change. In some instances the adjustablewashbox can include a mechanism to accomplish the reconfiguring.Non-limiting examples of mechanisms for reconfiguring the adjustablewashbox are described above in relation to FIGS. 1, 8, and 17.

Conclusion

Although exemplary techniques, methods, devices, systems, etc., relatingto adjustable washboxes have been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms ofimplementing the claimed methods, devices, systems, etc.

We claim:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving a parameter change relatingto an operating environment that includes an adjustable washbox; and,automatically reconfiguring the adjustable washbox to handle theparameter change.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein thereceiving comprises detecting a change in a rate at which media isdelivered to the adjustable washbox.
 3. The method as recited in claim1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving an indication of a changein a rate at which compressed air is introduced into a vessel associatedwith the adjustable washbox.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein the automatically reconfiguring comprises one of: constraining amedia pathway defined by the adjustable washbox and relaxing the mediapathway.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the automaticallyreconfiguring comprises vibrating at least one component of theadjustable washbox to facilitate passage of media through the adjustablewashbox.
 6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the automaticallyreconfiguring comprises automatically adjusting multiple differentparameters associated with the adjustable washbox.
 7. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the automatically reconfiguring comprisesautomatically adjusting at least one operating dimension of a mediapathway defined by the adjustable washbox.
 8. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein in an instance where the received parameter change isindicative of media blockage in a media pathway defined by theadjustable washbox, the automatically reconfiguring comprises vibratingat least a portion of the adjustable washbox and in an instance wherethe media blockage persists after the vibrating, the automaticallyreconfiguring comprises automatically enlarging at least one operatingdimension of the media pathway.
 9. A method, comprising: monitoring atleast one parameter that relates to operation of a media bed filter;and, automatically adjusting a dimension of a media path associated withthe media bed filter responsive to a change in the at least oneparameter.
 10. A washbox, comprising: inner and outer portions defininga tortuous media pathway therebetween; and, a mechanism for movingeither the inner portion or the outer portion relative to the other ofthe inner portion and the outer portion to redefine the tortuous mediapathway.
 11. The washbox of claim 10, wherein the inner portioncomprises a first surface that generally extends along a first axis andthat includes multiple protuberances and wherein the outer portioncomprises a second surface that generally extends along a second axisand that includes multiple protuberances that face the first surface.12. The washbox of claim 11, wherein the first and second axes areparallel.
 13. The washbox of claim 11, wherein the mechanism for movingis operable to move the inner and outer portions relative to one anotherfrom a first configuration where the protuberances of the first surfaceare generally opposed to the protuberances of the second surface into asecond configuration where the protuberances of the first surface aregenerally offset relative to the protuberances of the second surface.14. The washbox of claim 11, wherein the mechanism for moving isoperable to move the inner or outer portions one or more of: parallel tothe first axis, orthogonal to the first axis, and oblique to the firstaxis.
 15. The washbox of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism forvibrating one or both of the inner and outer portions.
 16. The washboxof claim 15, wherein the mechanism for moving comprises the mechanismfor vibrating.
 17. The washbox of claim 10, further comprising a weirfor controlling a water height relative to the washbox and wherein themechanism for moving is configured to automatically control the weir.